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CSIRO staff launch challenge to controversial shake-up

Wednesday, 17 Feb 2016 13:58:56 | Jake Sturmer

The staff association action claims the organisation has not held adequate consultation. (CSIRO)

CSIRO staff have begun a campaign to challenge plans to massively shake-up the nation's premier scientific organisation, lodging a dispute with the industrial umpire to try to stall the changes.

The CSIRO plans to cut 350 positions across areas including oceans, atmosphere, land, water and manufacturing.

Some of the cuts will involve a paring back of the organisation's climate measurement and monitoring capabilities — instead redirecting staff to work out how to tackle the problem of climate change.

Some staff will be made redundant and others redeployed, and the CSIRO has maintained that at the end of the two-year process, there will be no net loss of jobs.

The CSIRO Staff Association — represented by the Community and Public Sector Union — has lodged a dispute with the Fair Work Commission, claiming the organisation has not held adequate consultation.

"CSIRO have not discussed the introduction of the change, the effect the change is likely to have, measures CSIRO is taking to avert or mitigate the adverse effects of the change," the application to the Fair Work Commission said.

"Communications through email to staff by CSIRO business units... illustrate staff and their representatives have not been consulted or provided a genuine opportunity to influence the decision maker.

"For example, the email to Land and Water staff shows that reduction in staff of approximately 100 [full-time equivalent positions] will occur in already pre-determined programs.

"This indicates CSIRO's implementation of their decision, omitting any genuine consultation in accordance with clause 57(I) [of the CSIRO Enterprise Agreement]."

Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au

The staff association wants the Fair Work Commission to prevent any changes "until a consultation process is completed".

In a notice to employees, staff association secretary Sam Popovski said staff were shocked and angry at this latest plan to cut CSIRO jobs.

"CSIRO workplaces across Australia have condemned this awful plan to attack jobs and research at the organisation," he said.

"The staff association has a responsibility to do everything we can do to protect these jobs and that includes using the legally enforceable provisions of our Enterprise Agreement."

A spokesman for the CSIRO said the organisation was aware of the application and will work with the affected parties.

The dispute is yet to be allocated to a Fair Work Commission member.

AustraliaPlus


 

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